In 1998 he joined the Norit Group as Managing Director of Haffmans BV, one of the Norit group companies. In 2007 he was been appointed a Chief Growth Officer (CGO) and Member of the Executive Board of Directors of Norit NV. Next to achieving the ambitious growth targets of the Norit Group he was responsible for all the global Norit Sales & Service Centers, Corporate Marketing and Communication and business development. In 2010 Menno was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Norit Clean Process Technologies Holding helping its global customers to become more sustainable by doing “more with less”.
He served as Chairman of the Netherlands Water Technology Innovation Board and member of the Taskforce of the European Innovation Program and today as Board Member of the Netherlands Water Partnership and member of the Supervisory Board of WorldWaternet, executing the international projects of Waternet, the first integrated water cycle company in the Netherlands. Menno is also one of the initiators of the Amsterdam International Water Week and member of the Management Board, co-chairman of the Program Advisory Committee and chairing the Industrial Leaders Forum aiming to develop and implement a joint roadmap towards 2030 to solve the ever demanding water challenges around the world and create a circular and resilient water environment.
In 2012 Menno started a new venture, together with Ronald Ruijtenberg: “Naesta” aiming to built another leading international water technology platform. Naesta is the first ever industrial private equity company, headquartered in the Netherlands, dedicated to grow water technology companies, focusing on the water – energy – waste & food nexus.